Drug interactions
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Contraindicated
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal and Mercaptopurine: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
The intranasal vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which may replicate more in immunosuppressed patients. Mercaptopurine also may reduce the immune response.
What this interaction means in plain words
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal and Mercaptopurine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Immunosuppression impairs control of live attenuated virus replication.
What to do
Avoid the live intranasal vaccine in patients on mercaptopurine and use an inactivated injectable influenza vaccine instead.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adalimumab + Mercaptopurine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal and Mercaptopurine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. The intranasal vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which may replicate more in immunosuppressed patients. Mercaptopurine also may reduce the immune response.
How serious is the interaction between Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal and Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the live intranasal vaccine in patients on mercaptopurine and use an inactivated injectable influenza vaccine instead.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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